Luke as Tradent and Hermeneut: "As one who has a thoroughly informed familiarity with all the events from the top" (παρηϰολουϑηϰóτι ἄνωϑεν πᾶσιν ἀϰριβῶς, Luke 1:3)

Far from indicating that "Luke" had to investigate all the traditions before he could write them up as an historian, παρηϰολουθηϰότι in Luke 1:3 means almost the opposite. Luke is already credentialed to write because, having entered into Christian tradition as tradent and interpreter from some time in the past, he is fully qualified to write "as one who has a thoroughly informed familiarity with all the events from the top." This study represents the most comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the possible meanings of παραϰολουθέω in the classical and Greco-Roman periods based on an extensive sweep of all the many senses and referents in LSJ and BDAG. The perfect participle placards one trained in a tradition and not the judicious labors of an historian's research.